Prediction: Canada vs Qatar

Looking to put a maiden World Cup victory on the board, Canada will welcome Qatar to Vancouver late on Thursday night.

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Verdict: Canada win & Under 4.5 goals

Starting with the hosts, while Canada might still find the mod in their camp at an emotional high, Les Rouges will certainly feel that they missed out on a golden opportunity last week. Eventually opening their World Cup adventure with a 1-1 stalemate against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Toronto, Jesse Marsch’s camp are desperate to put a maiden Group B victory on the board and take a giant leap towards booking a famous knockout stage ticket this month. However, despite being backed by an emotional home support this summer, it is fair to say that the one-time Leeds United boss is still searching for some much-welcomed stability. While Canada might be pencilled in as a standout contender late on Thursday night, Marsch’s side have been forced to settle for a stalemate in four of their last five appearances across all competitions.

While Bayern Munich superstar Alphonso Davies might have been left as an unused substitute against Bosnia & Herzegovina last week, Canada are hopeful that their talismanic skipper will be able to play some part late on Thursday night.

Coming off the bench and bagging what could prove to be a crucial equaliser in Toronto, Southampton striker Cyle Larin could be handed a full recall here. Juventus’ Jonathan David will spearhead Canada’s charge in the final third and notch a 79th international cap at BC Place.

As for the visitors, while Qatar might still have an almighty job on their hands in the race to book an iconic World Cup knockout stage ticket, the Maroon Ones will certainly take plenty of positives away from a rugged Group B opener last week. Springing an upset in Santa Clara as they snatched a gritty 1-1 stalemate against Switzerland, Julien Lopetegui’s camp will be desperate to upset the party atmosphere at BC Place late on Thursday night. However, getting their finals tint of their pre-World Cup preparations underway with a toothless 1-0 loss at the hands of Ireland on May 28th, Qatar have remarkably put just a single victory on the board from any of their previous 12 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 3-1 friendly victory against their U23s 10 months ago.

Opening their iconic World Cup campaign with a sensational last-gasp 1-1 stalemate against Switzerland last week, Lopetegui could be tempted to name an unchanged starting XI in Vancouver on Thursday night.

However, shockingly forced to settle for a spot on the bench in Santa Clara and only making a two-minute cameo appearance, talismanic skipper Hassan Al-Haydos will be desperate to get more minutes under his belt. Former St. Liege youngster Edmilson Junior will feature in the final third.

Canada vs Qatar Key Factors to Consider

• When Canada and Qatar met for their only historic showdown back in September 2022, Les Rouges claimed a 2-0 friendly victory.
• Canada have lost just one of their previous 19 appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
• However, Canada have seen four of their last five matchups finish in a stalemate.
• Qatar have clinched just a sole victory on the board from any of their previous 12 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 3-1 friendly victory against their U23s 10 months ago.
• 10 of Canada’s last 11 matchups across all formats have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Left disappointed last week as they could only open their iconic World Cup adventure with a downbeat 1-1 stalemate against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada will be desperate to put a maiden Group B victory on the board. Set to be backed by a vocal home support in Vancouver late on Thursday night, Marsch’s side will know the importance of laying down a summer marker here. Whole Qatar have the potential to spring some headaches, we are backing Canada to put a maiden World Cup victory on the board at BC Place.

Verdict: Canada win & Under 4.5 goals

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